Diverse Genetic Origins of Autism May Result in Common Brain Function and Behaviors

Recent research conducted by the University of Minnesota Medical School reveals that different genetic variants linked to autism can produce similar patterns in brain activity and behavioral responses. Published in Nature Neuroscience, this study highlights that while the genetic makeup varies, the neural signatures associated with autism may be remarkably consistent across different cases.

Using advanced brain-recording techniques, scientists examined neuronal activity across the entire brain to determine whether distinct genetic forms of autism share common neural response patterns. Interestingly, despite the genetic differences, various autism models displayed a similar distinctive brain activity pattern, suggesting a shared neural signature.

Jean-Paul Noel, Ph.D., an assistant professor involved in the study, emphasized the significance of these findings, noting that this research could act as a bridge connecting genetic variability to observable behavioral differences. The study further shows that models with autism-linked genetic mutations tend to struggle with adapting their expectations based on new information when making decisions. Unlike typical models that update their predictions flexibly, these models rely more on the frontal brain regions and show less activity in sensory areas. Consequently, they emphasize long-term expectations while having difficulty distinguishing between predictable and unpredictable sensory inputs.

The research uncovered a specific neural circuit involving feedback from frontal areas to the visual cortex. This circuit appears to underpin the behavioral anomalies observed in all three preclinical autism models tested. Future investigations will delve deeper into how this feedback loop influences sensory processing and behavior.

Overall, these insights shed light on the neurobiological commonalities underlying different genetic forms of autism, paving the way for targeted interventions that could address shared neural mechanisms.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-genetic-roots-autism-brain-behaviors.html